Marques, José Neves Caldeira

1903-1994
Church of the Nazarene
Cape Verde

Pastor José Neves Caldeira Marques was born on Santo Antão and was converted from Catholicism in 1939. He served as pastor in Praia. His wife, Mrs. Virgínia Marques, was a very fine lady and a great support to his ministry. She was a niece of Rev. António Leite.[1] The Marqueses entered the ministry in 1945 and served on several of the islands.

A difficult trial was the problem of educating their three sons and two daughters. José came from a family of bankers, lawyers, doctors and merchants. For a short time he gave in to the incessant pressure of the family and returned to merchandising. He referred to this temporary departure from the ministry as being a descent into Egypt (Isaiah 31:1). He was entirely sanctified in 1955.

He was a sacrificing, consecrated pastor, described as the “unassuming man of pure gold.” Caldeira Marques, who was seasoned and experienced, was chosen to open work on São Nicolau in August 1956. This was the last island to be entered by the Nazarene mission. São Nicolau was known as the base of Roman Catholicism since their seminary had formerly been located there. The Marqueses rented a house there which was taken away from them when the landlord discovered that they were Protestants. But they were undaunted and in a short while established a congregation in spite of stiff opposition.

Pastor and Mrs. Marques retired in 1968 and made their home in Lisbon, Portugal, where they helped in the church.[2]